[Watch] Rare footage of Sourav Ganguly batting in the Vitality Blast in 2006
Former India captain and batting legend Sourav Ganguly represented Northamptonshire in the Vitality Blast T20 tournament in 2006. While centrally contracted Indian players of the present national side are barred from featuring in overseas T20 leagues, Ganguly's stint with Northamptonshire came in the pre-Indian Premier League (IPL) era.
The 52-year-old played nine matches for Northamptonshire in the 2006 Vitality Blast in England and scored 220 runs at an average of 27.50 and a strike rate of 104.76, with one half-century. His best of 73 came off 51 balls in a match against Worcestershire at Northampton. The southpaw struck seven fours and four sixes in his wonderful innings before getting run out.
While Ganguly played a fine knock, Rob White slammed 66 off 39 as Northamptonshire posted 190-3 in their 20 overs. In the chase, Worcestershire were held to 179/5. Ganguly chipped in with the ball as well, having Ben Smith stumped for 1. The Indian legend was named Player of the Match for his all-round effort in the game.
A montage of Ganguly batting in the Vitality Blast during the 2006 season was shared by the tournament's official X handle in May this year.
Watch video below
Speaking of the ongoing edition of the Vitality Blast, the group stage matches concluded on July 19. The quarterfinals will begin on September 3. Surrey will take on Durham in the first quarterfinal in Kennington Oval on September 3, while Sussex will meet Lancashire in the second quarterfinal at the County Ground in Hove on September 4.
Northamptonshire will be up against Somerset in quarterfinal 3 of the 2024 Vitality Blast at the County Ground in Northampton on September 5. The fourth and final quarterfinal will be played between Warwickshire and Gloucestershire at Edgbaston in Birmingham on September 6. The semifinals and the final will be held in Birmingham on September 14.
Sourav Ganguly's record in the T20 format
Coming back to Ganguly, the former India captain played 77 T20 matches and scored 1726 runs at an average of 25.01 and a strike rate of 107, with eight half-centuries. With the ball, he claimed 29 scalps at an average of 26.06.
While he never represented India in the format, the former BCCI president turned out for Kolkata Knight Riders and Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League. He featured in 59 matches in the IPL and scored 1349 runs at an average of 25.45 and a strike rate of 106.81, with seven fifties. On the bowling front, he claimed 10 scalps at an economy rate of 7.89.